April 9, 2008

Continued from April 8
. . . We decided to get up earlier on Wednesday to make the trek out to the Karpas Peninsula. We had a recommendation from a lady in Bellapais to stop in at the Botanical Gardens. The owner has planted it all himself, and has a little restaurant and swimming pool for his guests to use. He rents it out for weddings and parties too. What a lovely venue.
We then stopped at the last of the Byzantine castles up in the mountains which is called Kantara. It was a bit hazy, but you could still see to the tip- water on the left, right and center. Thank goodness there weren't as many stairs as Buffavento! Apparently they signalled each other with fires when an invasion was spotted. Certainly not worth the hassle in my opinion, but amazing architecture and beauty.
http://www.cyprus44.com/famagusta/kantara-castle.asp
Then onward to the peninsula. Wild donkeys abound - but apparently very unpredictable so photos only from a distance. Near the tip is the Apostolos Andreas Monastery built by Barnabas when he and Paul were over bringing Christianity to Cyprus. There is also a very large sandy beach which is never crowded, with a lovely restaurant overlooking it.
It took most of the day, so we stayed near Salamis to be ready for the next day's adventure.
To be continued . . .